Toilet article.



No. 713,76l. Patented Nov. l8, I902.

H. E. HARLAN.

TOILET ABTIGLE.

(Application filed Jan. 27, 1902.)

(No Model.)

EWMW NM BY [NgN T R.

6. M AT ORNEY? ll ITED STATES Parnivr ,FFICE.

HARRY E. I-IARLAN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE HARLAN MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

TOILET ARTICLE.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,761, dated November 18, 1902. Application filed January 27, 1902. Serial NIB-911366- (N model.)

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY E. HARLAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at T0- ledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toilet Articles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in toilet articles, and especially to a device for :0 Washing or scrubbing and otherwise beneficially irritating the skin.

By my invention I provide a toilet article of particular value to travelers which has all the desirable features a flesh or scrub brush have, is a receptacle for soap or medicant, and is also adapted to be used as a skinmassage device.

In the drawings herewith, Figure l is a side elevation of my device. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modification, and Fig. i is a view showing the manner in which the soap or medicant is brought into a position for use.

Like parts are represented by similar letters of reference in the several views.

In constructing my improved toilet article I use a flexible material, preferably rubber. The device consists of a main portion ct, of a concave or cup shape, surmounted by amass of material so shaped as to form a suitable grip or handle ct. As shown in Fig. 2, the interior of the main portion (L is provided with a series of projections or ridges I). These interior configurations need not neces- 55 sarily be concentric ridges, as shown, but may be of many and varied shapes, as will be found most desirable, or the interior may be plain, as shown in Fig. 3. In the handle or grip a is a chamber or reservoir 0 for the re- 0 ception of soap 0.

In use the device is pressed against the flesh, which is rubbed or scrubbed therewith, the device in a wet condition being pressed with more or less pressure, as desired, into 5 close contact with the skin, the edges and interior ridges or projections of the part a acting as rubbers or scrapers. When it is desired that soap shall be applied, the grip a is compressed, as shown in Fig. at, in which the dotted lines indicate the normal outline of the grip. This compression of the grip a causes the soap to protrude, as is shown, until it contacts with the skin. After rubbing with the soap in this position until a sufficient lather has been formed the soap may be returned by releasing the compression of the grip and pressing the device closer to the flesh, or it may be pushed to position with the finger. If after the device has been so firmly pressed upon the person as to exclude the air from the cup portion or an attempt is made to withdraw it a vacuum is formed, causing the device to cling to or pull the skin, thereby having a beneficial action on the flesh similar to massaging or cupping. This action serves to quicken the blood in the minute capillaries near the surface and to open or pump the pores of the skin. When used in this manner, the reservoir may, if desired, be filled with a toilet prep- 7o aration or medicant, the action of the vacuum thus established being very favorable to the absorption of such preparations.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a toilet article, a flexible cup-shaped body having a grip or handle formed thereon, a reservoir in said grip or handle having straight walls opening into said cup-shaped body for holding soap or medicant, said grip or handle being also flexible, whereby the article in said reservoir, by compressing said grip or handle, may be pressed into said cupshaped body, substantially as specified.

2. In a toilet article, a flexible cup-shaped body having configurations in relief on the interior surface thereof, a compressible grip or handle formed on said body integrally therewith, and a reservoir in said grip or handle opening into said cup-shaped body, substantiallyas and for the purpose specified.

3. In a toilet article of flexible material, a concavo-convex portion having a corrugated interior and an outwardly-projecting portion with a reservoir therein opening into said 5 concavo-convex portion to hold soap or medicant which may be forced into the concavoconvex portion by pressing the walls of said projecting portion, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of January, A. D. 1902.

HARRY E. HA'RLAN. Witnesses:

JAMES A. DAILEY,

M. H. EVANS. 

